A prominent Baltimore doctor discusses the significant phases of medicine today, now a question of social medicine rather...
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MEDICINE AT THE CROSSROADS
by ‧RELEASE DATE: May 10, 1939
A prominent Baltimore doctor discusses the significant phases of medicine today, now a question of social medicine rather than medical science. The lay public will continue to find horse and buggy anecdotes more entertaining reading, but this is, none the less, a more vital book, with the crucial need of medical service as part of our social program. Here are outlined the difficulties that beset the doctor, the lack of security, the recourse to surgery to fatten the wallet, fee splitting, the need for certificated surgeons, etc. He then traces the growing trends in medicine, cooperative hospitals, group practice, health insurance, standardization of fees, all the steps providing more expert and cheaper care for the layman. The fight with the A.M.A. and the obvious reasons for it. Good background book for such personal stories as the Shadid book (see page 170), though not as easy reading. The substance of this book is ""in the news"" and the text supplies arguments on both sides. The introduction by Dr. J. M. T. Finney recognizes the fact that the medical profession must face reality, and that the trend to socialized medicine is here to stay. A book for professional reading -- and for the interested layman.